Foster Care Training

Anti-fat bias (also discussed as fatphobia or sizeism) is a system of oppression that creates imbalances of power and unequal access to care and resources based on body size. As a group, people in larger bodies do not receive adequate medical treatment, employment protections, clothing, and much more as compared to their thin counterparts. We can see similar unequal distributions of resources and access to things humans need to live happy, healthy lives across all social identities. What does this mean for children who live in larger bodies, who we might be interacting with in our work in the child welfare system or in our everyday lives and communities? For the younger versions of our colleagues and friends, and for our younger selves? How are we carrying these messages with us in our daily interactions and relationships? In this half-day interactive workshop, we will begin to unpack anti-fat bias, adultism, and the connections between them. Participants will have a supported space to explore their own socialization with a focus on body size in order to consider how anti-fat bias and adultism continue to impact our experiences and affect our communities and the care we all receive. Together, we will also consider ways to recognize, discuss, and challenge sizeism and anti-fat bias, especially in our interactions with and in advocacy for the young people in our personal and professional lives.